KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's basketball team improved to 2-2 on the young season following a 71-67 victory at home against Bluffton University.
The Beavers got out to an early 11-4 lead less than four minutes into the contest. Kalamazoo fought its way back to keep the game within reach while taking its first lead with just over five minutes to play in the half. Andrew Renner's third three-pointer of the first half as time expired gave Bluffton a 38-34 lead at the break.
The Beavers scored 11 of the first 16 points in the second half to obtain a 49-39 lead with just over 17 minutes to play. The Hornets answered with a pair of three-pointers by Drew Sheckell and Thomas Cook to cut the deficit to just four.
A pair of Ben Reiter free throws with just over 11 minutes remaining gave Kalamazoo its first lead since the 19:50 mark in the first half.
A back-and-forth final 10 minutes was iced by the Hornets with some free throws down the stretch to win the game.
The game featured seven ties and eight lead changes including a 10-point Bluffton lead early in the second half.
The Hornets connected on 24 of 53 field-goal attempts and made nine of 26 three-pointers.
The Kalamazoo defense caused 19 turnovers.
Tanner Blyly led the team on the offensive end while scoring 20 points and tallying four assists.
Ben Reiter added 11 points. Thomas Cook and Jack Smith each scored nine. Smith led the team with five steals.
Cook and Smith led the Kalamazoo bench as it outscored Bluffton's 37-11.
The Hornets return to action at home on Saturday, Nov. 23 when they host Case Western Reserve at 1 p.m.